Arrangement and process for the production of endless sound films



Jan. 27, 1942. w, DAL LENBACH 2,270,996

ARRANGEMENT AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENDLESS SOUND FILMS -FiledJune 22, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet i I 10 8 i iZELHEHGmWI mummmununmmummflIllllllllllllllllllllllllllll l lllllllllllllllll hllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIHIIIHII||I!||lllll|lllllllllllllllllHlllllllllllllllll |||||||1||||n||i|I||""llllllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllIllIHHIIIIHIH n llllllllllllIIHIHIIIIHIHII mmmllllllllllllllIllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIIIHIHIIIIIHI a aaaaaon e,

INVENTOR 1 WALTER DALLENBACH ATTORN EYS Jan. 27, 1942. w. DALLENBACHARRANGEMENT AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENDLESS SOUND FILMS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1937 INVEQTOR WALTER DALLENBAcH 2;

. ATTogws vs?" I purpose of rendering possible the rerecording of.

- Patented Jan. 27, 1942 UNITED. STATES ARRANGEMENT AND rnocnss FOR THEPRODUCTION or annmss SOUND mars Walter mama, Berlin-Charlottenburg,Germany, assignor to Julius Pintsch Kommanditgesellschatt, Berlin,Germany Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,650

. In Germany. June 22, 1936 a Y Claims.

The present invention relates to the production of sound films and moreparticularly to a process and apparatus for transposing onto an endlessfilm with a plurality of juxtaposed sound tracks, a sound record takenfrom a strip film. Ordi- 5 narily the several sound tracks on theendless film are parallel to each other.

The sound record may be arranged on the continuousfilm in one spiralcourse, all of which is at a predetermined slight angleto. the edge ofthe film, or it may be so arranged that successive sections of the filmare parallel to each otherand to the edge of the film and'are connectedby an oblique section.

The present invention provides means for the if;

sound exposures, which have been made on strip films, on endless filmsand, furthermore, to subsequently manifold such endless films in asimple manner. 1 29 According to the present invention the production bymanifolding of endless -sound films, preferably with parallelsoundrecords, by copy is o effected in such a manner, that by means of aseries of sound records of prescribed width and a stop adapted to bedisplaced transversely to the series of sound records one or a pluralityof recording strips of lesser width are produced.

The process described can also be used to advantage .in printingordinary strip films of finite 30 length. A variable density soundrecord of narrow width can be widened'by optical means in projection andprinted on a strip film in such condition as to extend substantially thefull width of the efiective printing area of the film. As will behereinafter described; this is accomplished by the use of optical means,whereby an original narrow pencil of rays which is modulated 1 accordingto the sound is widened to the desired width for printing a wide soundtrack.

By means of a suitable light stop having a small printing aperture 8.narrow sound track can be printed on'a sensitized film even though therecord from which it is printed has a wide sound track. The stop in thearrangement shown is movable laterally of the sensitized film to permitsuccessive sections, that is to say sections which are of substantiallythe length of the endlessfilm to be ofi'set laterally from each other ona. sensitized film. The printed and developed record will then haveparallel record sections which are connected each to the next bya-diagonal record section. The movement 'of the light stop laterally ofthe film can advantageously be released automatically, e. g. by means ofa trip positioned to engage a notch in the edge oi the film. Themechanism for moving the light stop is preferably arranged to move thestop at a speed having a constant predetermined ratio to the speed ofthe film. The light stop can be a simple slidable element movabletransversely of the film or it maybe a rotary element with a spiralslit, whereby upon rotation the eflective aportion of the opening ineffect moves across the film. From one of the films produced in thismanner, which may be called in this instance a second original, a copyis made'in accordance with the present invention, on which is recordedabout 4 to 10 times in juxtaposition the second original.

' This last copy serves then as master film for the actual production inquantity of the endless films, inasmuch as it will be possible toproduce contact copies therefrom which are then cut into separate filmsof the desired length. a

The original record used for printing continuous films according to thepresent invention may be a record made in accordance with prior practiceon any of the ordinary commercial films. A, record to be usedfor-printing and having a sound track extending substantially the-fullef- Iective width of the film may be made from such original record.When printing from this film onto an endless film, in accordance withthe invention, a stop is used which has one or a plurality of printingapertures for the copying light. ,The printing apertures are so spacedthat the printed film has'equally spaced record sections thereon. Thewidth of the apertures corresponds to the width of the sound record uponthe endless film as finally printed. If, for instance, the light stop isprovided with three printing apertures suitably spaced,

- three sound records will be produced simultaneously upon the endlessfilm when printing. After each revolution of the endless film the lightstop can be moved laterally a distance substantially equal to orslightly more than the width of the printed sound record on the endlessfilm. This is repeated until the entire printing space of the endlessfilm is utilized. The endless film will then contain in triplicate thesound record of the original film.. It is self-evident that it ispossible to move the light stop at a slow but uniform speed across thefilm and thereby produce a socalled spiral record on the film such asheretoi'ore produced by Lee de Forrest. An endless film obtained in thisway can now either be cut directly, byway of example into three separatefilms, in connection with which the parts, containing the sprocketholes, are omitted, if standard films are used. It will, however, alsobe possible, to use this endless film, in the first instance, as masterfilm, from which contact copies can be produced, which are subsequentlycut longitudinally in the same way as has just been described.

The most simple operation of the method consists therein, that theoriginal record is recorded across the entire width of a film. This canbe effected, e. g. by using a thermionic valve controlled by soundcurrents and provided with a linear cathode extending perpendicular tothe film, whereby a uniform illumination of the total film width isensured. A record of this nature has, in contradistinction to theexposure in the first instance of an endless multi-record film, theadvantage that the original film can be subjected to cuts andcombinations, which are impossible in connection with a multi-reoordfilm.

In the drawings which illustrate selected embodiments of the invention-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a film guide with a transverselyslidable light stop embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 represents the preferred arrangement of the sound records on thefilm in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 3 illustrates an arrangement according to the present invention, inwhich the original sound record is projected with the aid of acylindrical lens,

Fig. 4 shows a rotatable stop with a spiral aperture, as it is to beused in accordance with the present invention, and

stop 3' is slidably disposed in the guide I, which can also be made tosimultaneously serve as film guide. The stop 3 is provided with aprinting aperture 5, the width of which corresponds to the width of asound record, as it is to be printed on the endless film 2. The shape ofthis aperture 5 can vary; it is, however, of advantage to cause it to bemade of rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 1. The source of light usedfor printing can, for instance, be so constructed that it throws a beamof light of a width equal to the entire width of the film upon the stop3. This has been indicated by the rectangular space 6 left white. If nowboth films are made to pass through the film guide with equal speed,merely a narrow sound record willbe printed on the endless film band.After one revolution of this film band the stop 3 can now be laterallydisplaced by a certain amount. This ensures that the light used forcopying describes a corresponding relative movement on the endless film2, and the exposure record takes an oblique course, as indicated at I inconsequence of the constant movement of both films. The diagonal sectionof the sound record shows in exactly the same manner as the straightsection on the endless film band the variations of density as thecorresponding section of they original film.

It is sometimes desirable. to print from standard sound films havingasingle sound track an endless film with a continuous sound trackincluding parallel sections. In accordance with the present invention,an image of the sound record of the original film is produced optically,which image is enlarged laterally for example to such an extent that theenlarged image extends across the entire width of the endless film ontowhich'the sound record is to be reproduced. In one embodiment of theinvention, the enlarged image is formed optically in the plane of thesensitized film but the film is shielded by a light stop to control thearea to be printed. Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically an apparatus forsuch operation. 13 represents the source of copying light which may beso designed that it illuminates the original film 'H at the point I5impinging on the film at a right angle thereto. The copying light nowpasses through an optical printer conventionally indicatedas including acylindrical lens 16, the light subsequently impinging upon a suitablestop arrangement. The optical printer is stationary and projects towardthe film to be printed an image, which image is suitably formed in theplane of the sensitized film as is usual in optical printers but due tothe eifect of the cylindrical lens this image extends over an area of awidth in the direction transverse to the film substantially equal to thewidth of the film. The light stop controls the position of actualprinting of the sound record on the film. We have, therefore, in thisarrangement a stationary optical printer and a light stop which is'movable or adjustable to control the position of actual printing ascontrasted with apparatus wherein the optical printer is moved when itis desired to'print at a different position laterally of the film, Thestop arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is of the rotary slot type although theinvention is not limited to this kind of stop construction. l1represents the stop disk adapted to be rotated about the spindle l8. Itis provided with a spiral shape slot I! which cooperates with the slot22 in the film guide to form the light stop. As indicatedin Fig. 3, bymeans of the non-hatched rectangular space 20, the enlarged image of theoriginal sound record extends over the whole width of the endlesssensitized film. By means of the light stop, however, only a small partof the entire width of the sensitized film is exposed to the copyinglight. During printing the master film I4 is fed in one directionthrough the film guide I! by the sprocket wheel I5 and the sensitizedfilm is fed in the opposite direction through its film guide 2| by thesprocket wheel 2| as is usual in apparatus of this character. After onerevolution of the endless sensitized film durin which time the soundtrack is printed on a line parallel to one side of the film, the stopdisk I! is rotated through a small angle suflicient to readjust theposition of'the aperture to print on a second line parallel to the edgeof the film. The adjustment is made during movement of the film, so thata diagonal section of the sound track is provided to connect the twoparallel sections.

' print through the stop 34 directly.

sound track will lie at a constant angle to the length of the film.

Another embodiment of the invention-is illustrated diagrammatically inFig. 5. 3| represents a standard 35 mm. film on which the sound recordhas been printed to extend across substantially the whole effectivewidth of the film. This master film is passed through a film guide 32together with a sensitized endless film 33 to be printed A sprocket feedwheel 33' is indicated conventionally as feeding the films in thedirection of the arrow. In the film guide 32 a stop 34 is arranged toslide in a direction transverse to the length of the film. This stop hasthree printing apertures 35 which may, for example, have a clearancebetween each two apertures of 8 mm. As indicated in Fig. 5, three soundtracks will be printed simultaneously as the films are fed through thefilm guide and stop. A lateral displacement of the light stop 34 may beeffected after one revolution of the endless film or, if preferred, thestop may be moved continuously to provide a continuous helical soundtrack as previously explained.

Instead. of effecting the printing directly by contact, it is possibleto optically magnify the original disclosure .in the direction of itswidth as in the arrangement indicated in Fig. 3, and to s It is alsopossible-to arrange the light stop at a distance from the film to beprinted and to print optically.

If all sound records are to receive the same quantity of light, theapertures in the-stop will all be made of equal size in view of the factthat one and the same source of light is used. In accordance with thepresent invention, it will also In many cases it might, however, beadvisable to use it directly in connection with the original holes; ifnow, as shown in Fig. 5, the stop is provided with three apertures, theuseful width of 24 mm. of the secondary film is'split up in threedivisions of 8 mm. each. The finite or limited sound film of 1000 m.length now yields 10 sound records upon the endless film of -100 length.These ten sound records are situated in juxtaposition upon a space of 8mm. width and can,

in connection herewith have a width of 0.6 to 0.8

composition, for example, short orchestral compositions, interrupted by'spoken texts by programme announcers, radio reporters andthe like,

upon the endless film in one and the same division, in connection withwhich then on the endless film several sections with identical soundrecords are placed in juxta-position.

It should be expressly pointed out that the statements relating to thedimensions with regard to shape and length of film, as well as thestatements relating to the dimensions of the sound'records have merelybeen made by way of example and may be modified as desired.

What I claim, is: a

1. Apparatus for use in printing from a master strip film having avariable'density sound record thereon a continuous variable densitysound record onto a sensitized continuous endless film in sectionsparallel to each other, comprising means including a lamp, a gate and alens for directing light through the master film toward the sensitizedfilm over an area of a width sub-- stantially equal to-the effectivewidth of the sensitized film, a stop in the path of light between themaster film and the sensitized film adjacent the latter having a limitedexposure aperture and adjustable to limit the exposure of thesensiexposure in which the original sound record is i made. In thiscase, as also in those cases where an extremely narrow master soundrecord is used and where the production of the endless film is to be.effected by means of the printing method, the beams of light, eitherbefore or after it has been modulated, is given the width, required forthe production of the endless film, with the aid of optical means.

'In order to still further elucidate the present invention, an exampleis to be described according to which a symphony is recorded upon anendless film in connection with which the printing method according tothe present invention is employed. The original record may in this casehave been made upon a finite or limited standard film, in which theentire surface between the sprocket holes is filled up with the soundrecord. The lengthof the finite-or limited film, on which the entiresymphony is to be recorded amounts to say, 1000 m., which corresponds toa duration of run of 40 minutes' The length of the endlessly connectedsecondary film amounts to 100 m. It can also consist of standard filmwith a useful width of 24 mm. between the sprocket tized film toselected positions transversely of the film.

2. An apparatus for use in printing from arelatively small printingaperture, said stop being movable in said guide transversely of thefilms to control the printing of the record on diflerent parallel lineson the endless film, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. Printing apparatus for sound films comprising a film guide for amaster sound film having a variable density soundrecord of a widthsubstantially equal to the effective width of the film and a continuousendless sensitized film in superposed contacting relation, a light stopadjacent said film guide having a plurality of 'exfilm at a plurality ofpositions spaced transverse- 1y of the film and a fixed light source fordirecting light onto said light stop at all operative positions of theprinting apertures.

4. The method of printing a variable density sound record on acontinuous endless film in parallel sections which comprises passing astrip film having a variable density sound film extending substantiallythe whole efiective width thereof through a guide in superposed relationto. a sensitized continuous endless film directing light from a fixedsource toward said records, interposing a light stop having a printingaperture of a narrow width and moving said stop transversely of thelength of the film to print the variable density record on the endlessfilm ,with successive sections arranged parallel to each other. i

5. Apparatus for printing a continuous sound the plane of a sensitizedfilm in the second film 7 guide, said printing apparatus comprising acylindrical lens to extend the image laterally of the film guide toprovide a relatively wide image area, together with a light stop havinga printing aperture which is narrow as compared with the width of saidwide image and cooperating with the second film guide and adjustable tomove its aperture laterally across the film guide to effect printing onthe sensitized film in the second film guide at a plurality of separatedpositions.

WALTER DALLENBACH.

